Rugby: Douglas beat Vale of Lune to climb to seventh

Vagabonds miss chance go top after loss to Ellesmere Port

Report by Dave Christian:

Doulas got 2024 underway with a home win against Lancaster’s Vale of Lune winning 27-13 at a sunny Port-e-Chee. 

Defeats for Winnington Park, Altrincham Kersal and Liverpool St Helens elsewhere in the table mean that Douglas gained two places and with an away trip to eighth place Whitchurch next Saturday, they could easily bag another.

Vagabonds beaten at home

It wasn’t such a positive start for Vagabonds as they were downed 30-19 at home to Ellesmere Port. 

A try, conversion and penalty from Port’s left wing Ryan Turner put the visitors 10-0 in front early on - Ben Simcox added another and Vagas trailed 15-0 after quarter of an hour. 

Mitch Wells crashed one over for Vagas but Turner’s second plus a score from Jack Radcliffe saw Port 25-5 in front at the break.

Turner raced in to complete his hat trick early in the second half to leave Vagas trailing by twenty five points. 

Skipper Matt Rockwell rallied his troops and with twenty minutes remaining Cal Donnell smashed over from close range to narrow the gap - Cam Findlay converted. 

Seven minutes later Dan Bonwick powered over from close range and with Findlay’s conversion Vagas had a sniff of two bonus points for a try or even a win with two tries. In the final minutes however Ellesmere Port held firm to claim maximum points.

**

Results, 6 January, 2024

Regional 2 North West

Douglas 27-13 Vale of Lune

Counties 4 ADM Lancs/Cheshire

Vagabonds 19-30 Ellesmere Port

Ravenscroft Manx Shield

Western Vikings P-P Ramsey

PDMS Southern Nomads P-P IOM Barbarians